The total time spent either backing in and then pulling out, or pulling in or backing out is almost exactly the same.

Posted on September 3, 2026 at 12:54:58 PM by Alpo

People who pulled in and then slowly back out -- understandably because there are blind spots and cross traffic and pedestrians popping up from behind cars and so on -- take just as much time as someone backing in. People who backed in, wasting everyone's ever-so-precious 12 seconds -- can pull out much faster than someone backing out.

I have driven a pickup truck for thirty years. Setting aside whether I use the "truck" aspect of it enough to satisfy the people who think it is all about the size of my dick, the bed of the truck makes backing out of a perpendicular spot a more dangerous and time consuming endeavor. Backing in is ultimately faster and safer for everyone.

This does not, however, apply to angled-in spots where I pull in normally. Also, when driving my wife's car I pull in normally to perpendicular spots.

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Thread:

Cranky old man observation (cars) plus weird road rage incident - By Paul September 3, 2026 at 09:52:38 AM
- The total time spent either backing in and then pulling out, or pulling in or backing out is almost exactly the same. - By Alpo September 3, 2026 at 12:54:58 PM
- Not bad, but prefer Craig.* - By ftb September 3, 2026 at 11:12:47 AM
- It’s particularly important if you’re driving the getaway car. * - By Mark II September 3, 2026 at 10:57:41 AM
- had a very minor one Saturday driving back from St. Louis area. I am passing a car in the left lane on the highway and... - By ajs September 3, 2026 at 10:35:44 AM
- I'm a spot backer, and this is my story. - By weebay September 3, 2026 at 10:27:36 AM
  - backer-inner, imo* - By ajs September 3, 2026 at 10:44:08 AM
- A guy that yells like that might be on line too much. May have confused real life behavior with the assholishness he's used to doing online, where it is anonymous and normal. * - By Rabbit September 3, 2026 at 10:22:47 AM
  - It's nice, though, that we don't have any of that assholish behavior here* - By ajs September 3, 2026 at 10:45:33 AM
    - Gentlemen and scholars only. * - By Rabbit September 3, 2026 at 11:14:23 AM
- A couple of reasons... - By rkm September 3, 2026 at 10:18:59 AM
- You should have had your hat at the ready - By Rich September 3, 2026 at 10:18:46 AM
- Agree on backing into parking spot guys. ** - By Ian September 3, 2026 at 10:15:19 AM
- I fucking hate people who back into spots. - By GritsGoBlue September 3, 2026 at 10:13:18 AM
  - Driving a manual and parallel parking skills have become extinct.* - By rkm September 3, 2026 at 10:23:45 AM
- I think backing into spots is one of those things where ppl have decided that that’s what the cool kids do, so they need to do it, too… - By Craig September 3, 2026 at 10:10:51 AM
- I miss manual window cranks - By brick September 3, 2026 at 10:10:25 AM

The Victors

The total time spent either backing in and then pulling out, or pulling in or backing out is almost exactly the same.